Power operated stapling apparatus



Oct. 2, 1962 J. l. MERRICK 3,056,139

POWER OPERATED STAPLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 19, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jim Merr/b/r 24 INVENTOR.

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Oct. 2, 1962 J. l. MERRICK 3,056,139

POWER OPERATED STAPLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 19, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3 70\ T Fig. 5

94 Jim Merrick 1N VENTOR.

iinited States Patent 3,056,139 PUWER UPERATED STAPLDIG APPARATUS Jim I. Merrick, 2519 W. Division St., Grand Island, Nebr. Filed Aug. 19, 19%, Ser. No. 50,733 6 Claims. (Cl. 1-149) This invention relates to power operated stapling apparatus especially designed for use with a clamping device for holding window frames in assembled and squared condition so that the window frame assembly may be stapled together by the stapling apparatus.

The stapling apparatus of this invention therefore includes a window frame clamping device of the type disclosed in my prior co-pending application Serial No. 28,049, filed May 10, 1960. This application is therefore a continuation in-part of th aforesaid application.

In the aforesaid prior application, a power operated clamp device is disclosed which includes fixed abutment means engaging a head end corner and sill end corner of a window frame on one side thereof while similar corner frame squaring abutments engage the other side of the window frame and are slidably mounted on the clamping device for power operation in order to slidably move the sliding abutments against said other side of the window frame for clamping thereof in squared condition on the clamping device. Accordingly, a pair of fluid operated motors are provided for slidable movement of the sliding abutments into clamp position against the window frame. The abutments both fixed and sliding disclosed in the aforesaid prior application included guide means against which any portable type of stapling mechanism may be aligned in order to staple the jamb frame members. The present invention differs from the disclosure in the prior application in that the abutment assemblies, consisting of the two fixed abutments and two slidable abutments, structurally modified are to receive a special power op erated mechanism mounted thereon in proper position flush against the jarnb frame members adjacent the ends thereof for driving staples into the jamb frame members for connecting them to the head and sill frame members. Accordingly, two of such stapling mechanism may be provided at each end of the window frame assembly on th clamping device and a control valve assembly from the fluid pressure source is provided for simultaneous power operation of all of the stapling mechanisms, after clamping of the window frame in squared condition by the fluid motors operating the clamp slide abutments as disclosed in the aforesaid prior application. Accordingly, the combined clamping device and power operated stapling apparatus enables accurate, rapid and complete assembly of a window frame in such an eflicient manner as heretofore not possible.

The power operated stapling apparatus of this invention also features a stapling mechanism of superior and novel design enabling a plurality of staples to be simultaneously driven into the window frame at each corner thereof. The stapling mechanism also features novel constructional details enabling the mechanism to be placed flush up against the window frame member for stapling thereof and enables loading of the magazine without removal of the mechanism from its assembled position on the clamping device.

The stapling mechanism further includes in connection with the magazin loading feature hereinabove indicated, a staple retaining arrangement which cooperate with the magazine to retain the staples therein which retaining arrangement nevertheless exposes to view the staples within the magazine so that the operator may be able to detect when loading of the staple magazine is necessary before the staples are exhausted therefrom.

It will therefore be apparent that the primary object ice of this invention is to provide an apparatus for rapid, accurate and eflicient stapling of a window frame with a consequent tremendous saving in labor, time and elemination of waste of window frames discarded due to defective stapling.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the head end of the clamping device within which a window frame assembly is disposed with the power operated stapling apparatus installed thereon.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by a section line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view taken substantially through the plane indicated by section line 3-3 in FIGURE 1 illustrating a stapling gun mechanism.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIGURE 1 illustrates one end of the clamping device frame assembly 12 as disclosed in the prior co-pending application Serial No. 28,049. The frame 12 accordingly adjustably mounts between the upright frame members 28 thereof, a horizontal guide frame member 18. Fixedly mounted on the guide frame member 18 on the left side thereof as viewed in FIGURE 1 is the fixed abutment assembly generally designated by reference numeral 36 which adjnstably mounts the flange element 46 against which the head frame member 14 of the window frame assembly generally indicated by reference numeral 16 abuts. A similar abutment assembly 60 is provided on the right side of the guide frame member 18 as viewed in FIGURE 1 which abutment assembly 60 is similar to the abutment assembly 36 except that it is slidable along the guide frame member 18 for clamping one end of the window frame assembly 16 between the assemblies 36 and 60 by abutment with the side jamb members 20 adjacent opposite ends of the head frame member 14. As disclosed in the aforesaid prior application the fluid motor 76 is connected to the sliding abutment assembly 60 for sliding movement thereof, the fluid motor 76 being operated by a source of fluid under pressure controlled by a foot pedal operated valve mechanism indicated by reference numeral 98. It will be observed that the sliding abutment assembly 60 includes a flange element 70 similar to the flange element 46 which also abuts against the head frame member 14 of the window frame assembly 16.

The window frame assembly 16 is clamped in squared condition at its head end with the head frame member 14 abutting against the flange elements 46 and 70 on the abutment assemblies 35 and 6t) respectively. The side jamb frame members 20 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 2 are clamped against the edges of the head frame member 14 by means of guide elements mounted on the abutment assemblies and disposed with abutting surfaces perpendicular to the flange elements 46 and 74 The abutment assembly 69 as seen in FIGURE 2, is provided with a guide element 64 which abuts adjacent the head end of the side jamb frame member 29. A similar guide element is provided for the abutment assembly 36. It will be apparent that the head end corners of the window frame assembly 16 Will be squared and clamped between the flange elements and guide elements of each of the abutment assemblies 36 and 6'3. It will also be observed in FIGURES 2 and 3 that the guide element 64 includes a guiding edge 22 against which the stapling mechanism may be applied for alignment thereof to drive staples through the side jamb members and into the head frame member for stapling the window frame members together. It will also be appreciated by reference to the aforesaid prior application that similar fixed abutment and sliding abutment assemblies are provided at the sill end of the clamping device for cooperation with the sill end of the window frame assembly 16 in order to clamp in squared condition and staple the side jamb members to the sill frame member. It will be observed that the guiding edges of the guide elements at the sill end corresponding to the guiding edge 22 of the edge securing guide element 64 on abutment assembly 6t? will be disposed at an angle from the vertical position illustrated in FIGURE 2 in order to align and guide the stapling mechanism at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the sill frame member on the window frame assembly 16.

Accordingly, the stapling apparatus of this invention involves the mounting of a stapling mechanism at each of the corners of the clamping device. The mountings at each of the aforesaid corners are similar so that the following description although directed specifically to the mounting of the stapling mechanism it on the abutment assembly 60 will apply equally to the mounting of mechanisms 1% at each of the other three corners of the clamping device. The only difference in the mounting of the stapling mechanisms will occur at the sill end corners inasmuch as the guide elements and hence mechanisms it will be disposed at an angle to the vertical position illustrated in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURES l and 2 in particular, it will be observed that the abutment slide block 24 has bolted thereto an angle mounting member 26 having a leg portion 28 bolted to the sliding block 24 by means of bolts 31 disposed on either side of a central rib 32. The mounting member 26 also has a mounting portion 34 having a flat supporting surface which is flush with the top surface of the sliding block 24. The top surface of the mounting portion 34 therefore has cut therein a keyway 37 with which a key element 38 cooperates to lock the stapling mechanism thereto seated on the flat surface of portion 34. It will therefore be observed that the edge surface 40 of the stapling mechanism abuts against the guide edge 22 of the guide element 64 so as to bring the staple slots 42 as seen in FIGURES 3 and 4 into proper position for stapling the end of the side jamb member 2 0 to the edge of the head frame member 14, the interrelationship between the members 14 and and the stapler It? being apparent in FIGURES 1 and 2. It will also be observed that the keyway 37 and key element 38 are so disposed on the mounting portion 34 of the mounting member 26 to so locate the flat surfaced guide plate means 44 on the stapling mechanism It flush up against the side jamb frame member 29 as seen in FIGURE 1. The stapling mechanism constitutes together with the guide element 64 abutting surfaces for the side jamb frame members and by virtue of the mounting arrangement herein above described the stapling mechanisms '10 will be in proper position for accurately stapling the jamb frame members to the head and sill frame members. It will be observed that stapler mounting means including keyways 45 formed in the fiat sides 47 of the casing 48 of the stapling mechanism on both sides of the stapler enables the stapling mechanism to be installed at any corner of the clamping device. The mounting means also includes the key element 38 on the mounting member 26. The stapler casing will therefore present flat perpendicular surfaces 40, 4-4 and 47 that snugly fit within the corner formed by the surface of the side jamb member 20, the edge 4th of the guide element 64 and the supporting surface of the mounting portion 34 to align keyways 37 and 45. Insertion of the key element 38 will then lock and retain the stapler against sliding movement due to the offset center of mass or stapling thrust in a lateral direction as viewed in FIG- UB5 1, so that the surfaces 4%), 44 and 47 will otherwise resist pivotal displacement and retain the stapler in place.

Referring now to FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6 it will be observed that the stapling mechanism ltl includes a housing or casing portion 48 which is enlarged at the driving end as seen in FIGURE 4 in order to accommodate a plurality of staples three being illustrated in the present example. The enlarged portion of the housing 48 has cut therein the keyway slots 45 on either side thereof for the purposes hereinbefore indicated. Also, the guide plate element 44 is mounted at the driving end of the housing 48 which plate 44 includes three apertures 42 through which the staples Stl are driven.

It will be observed that the staples are disposed within three slots 52 defined at the driving end of the housing a while three prongs 54 connected to a ram member 56 ;.re disposed Within the slots 52 on top of the staples 50 so that when the ram member 56 is driven toward the driving end of the housing 43 the prongs 54 will simultaneously drive each of the staples 52 through the apertures 42 in the plate 44 to staple the jamb frame memcar to the head or sill frame member of the window frame assembly. The ram member 56 is accordingly slidably disposed within the housing 48 and is connected in any suitable manner to a plunger element 5% driven by a conventional type of fluid pressure air motor 61. The air motor 61 is mounted at the other end of the housing 48 by means of bolts 62 clamping the motor 61 to a mounting flange 64 integral with the housing 43. It will be observed from FIGURE 1, that each of the fluid pressure air motors 61 are connected to an air pressure source through a flexible conduit 66 which are simultaneously supplied with air under pressure through a valve control mechanism 68 in a manner similar to the controlled supply of air pressure to the fluid motors 76 for operating the slidable abutment assemblies of the clamping device. It will be obvious that each of the stapling mechanisms 1% will simultaneously drive three staples into the jamb frame members adjacent the four corners of the window frame assemblies 16.

A magazine mechanism generally indicated by reference numeral 72 is provided on each mechanism 10 as more clearly seen in FIGURES 3, 5 and 6. The magazine 72 includes a plurality of staple spacing members 74 which extend laterally away from the housing 48 between which members 74 the three rows of staples 54) are disposed. The members 74 are interconnected at a remote end by the portion 75 to which a locking element '78 is connected. A slide block member is disposed and straddles the outer members 74 for sliding movement thereover which slide block member 80 has connected thereto one end of a coil spring element 82 trained about an idler wheel and anchored at the other end to the bolt end portion 75 of the magazine 72 so that the block 8t) may apply a bias to the staples 50 loaded in the magazine for presenting a set of three staples into alignment with the staple apertures 42 in the guide plate 44. The block 80* is also provided with upstanding elements 84 enabling manual retraction of the slide block 8t for loading a new set of staples into the magazine '72.

The magazine is provided with a retaining mechanism which holds the staples in the magazine. The retaining mechanism includes three shaft-like elements 86 as more clearly seen in FIGURE 5 which are disposed over the tops of the staples 5% to thereby prevent removal of the staples from the space between the magazine elements 74 and yet leave the staples 5i exposed to the view of the operator so that he may detect when the supply of staples is almost exhausted. The shaft members 86 are connected at one end to a hinge member 88 which is hingedly connected to a hinge element 90 secured to the housing 48. A hinge pin 92 pivotally connects the hinge member 83 and staple retaining shaft members 86 to the housing 43 for pivotal movement thereof away from the guide plate 44 when it is desired to load the magazine with staples. The shaft members 86 are interconnected at their other ends by means of a cross member 94. The cross member 94 may look the staple retaining shaft 86 to the magazine 72 by being seated within the recess 96 formed in the element 78 projecting from the end portion 75 of the magazine while a knurled lock element 100 extends through an aperture in the projecting element 73 for threaded engagement with the screw member fixed to the cross member 94 to thereby lock the staple retaining assembly in place.

From the foregoing description, operation and use of the novel stapling mechanism will be apparent as well as its particular cooperation with the clamping device for more rapidly, accurately and efficiently assembling and stapling together a window frame. A window frame accordingly placed on the machine may be sequentially clamped in the machine, stapled and unclamped by the valve controlled fluid motors, the arrangement conveniently being controlled by any suitable control system for automatic operation.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a clamping device for window frames having fixed and slidable corner frame abutment means for clamping a window frame in horizontally squared condition with side jamb members in abutting edge relation to head and sill members, power operated stapling apparatus comprising a plurality of interchangeably mounted pressure operated stapling mechanisms for respective corners of the window frame, each stapling mechanism including casing means, flat guide means mounted on the casing means having a plurality of staple slots therein through which staples are driven in a lateral direction, stapler mounting means disposed on each casing means for slidably positioning the guide means in a vertical plane on each of the fixed and slidable corner frame abutment means against said side jamb members of said window frame clamped in the clamping device adjacent sill and head ends of the jamb frame members for stapling said sill and head members to the jamb members, and power means operatively connected to each of the stapling mechanisms for simultaneous power operation thereof to completely staple a Window frame in the clamping device, said mounting means including a keyway on at least one side of each casing means in parallel spaced relation to the flat guide means thereon for cooperation with key means on the abutment means for positioning the guide means flush against the jamb frame members in the clamping device and resisting stapling thrust of the power means.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes keyways on both sides of each casing means enabling interchangeable mounting of a stapling mechanism at any window frame corner.

3. A stapling mechanism for positioning against a stapling surface on :a window frame held in a clamping device, comprising, casing means for slidably mounting staple driving ram means therein, flat guide means c nnected to one end of the casing means having staple aperture means therein through which staples are driven by the ram means, power means mounted in the other end of the casing means and operatively connected to the ram means, slide mounting means mounted on the casing means in parallel spaced relation to the guide means on opposite sides of the ram means, staple feeding magazine means mounted between said guide means and casing means and extending laterally away therefrom and staple holding means mounted on said magazine means for retaining the staples therein in exposed view and movable in a direction away from the guide means for loading the magazine means without removing the guide means from said stapling surface.

4. The mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein the ram means, staple aperture means and magazine means accommodates a plurality of staples to be simultaneously driven.

5. In combination with a clamping device for holding a window frame assembly in assembled and squared condition having abutting edge guide means disposed adjacent each corner of the window frame assembly, a plurality of stapling mechanisms interchangeably mounted on the clamping device in abutting cont act with said abutting edge guide means adjacent each corner of the window frame assembly, and power operated means operatively connected to each stapling mechanism for \simultaneously stapling a pair of jamb frame members of the window frame assembly to a head and sill frame member, each stapling mechanism including key means for interchangeably slidably mounting the stapling mechanisms on the clamping device adjacent any window frame corner for positioning thereof into abutting contact with the guide means.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein each stapling mechanism comprises casing means for slidably mounting staple driving ram means therein, flat guide means connected to one end of the casing means having staple aperture means therein through which staples are driven by the ram means through a stapling surface, power means mounted on the other end of the casing means and operatively connected to the ram means, staple feeding magazine means mounted between said guide means and easing means and extending laterally "away therefrom and staple holding means mounted on said magazine means for retaining the staples therein in exposed View and movable in a direction away from the guide means for loading the magazine means without removing the guide means from a vertical jamb frame member surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,540,106 'Eichelberger Feb. 6, 1951 2,544,499 Hovey Mar. 6, 1951 2,716,749 Timmerbeil Sept. 6, 1955 

